The paradox facing Anutin’s government

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government appears well protected inside Thailand’s political system, yet that strength has created its central contradiction. The administration has assembled a formidable coalition and secured backing from influential conservative networks, but it is struggling to convince the public that the system remains fair, transparent and accountable.

Anutin’s rise marked a significant shift in the country’s political balance. His government draws support from coalition parties, members of parliament, senators, the state bureaucracy, constitutional bodies and established conservative networks. That broad institutional foundation gives the administration considerable protection from challenges within the political system.

Institutional strength alone, however, cannot guarantee lasting legitimacy. Allegations of corruption and abuse of state power, if left unresolved, could raise questions about the integrity of the government and its political legitimacy. The tension between these two forms of power, protection from the system and confidence from the public, could ultimately determine the government’s fate.

A recent Nida Poll titled “So Many Problems, Will It Survive?” illustrated the credibility problem. The biggest concern among respondents, cited by 62.75%, was alleged graft in recruitment examinations for local administrative officials. Other concerns included alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election, cited by 55.88%, and parliamentary scrutiny of the Khao Kradong land dispute, cited by 42.29%. Respondents also pointed to tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the government’s 400-billion-baht borrowing plan, and agricultural prices.

Only 17.71% of respondents expected the government to survive comfortably. The figures reflect a widening gap between political stability and public trust, with questions over patronage and transparency reaching beyond parliament and into the bureaucracy.